Amazon’s Dash button service launches in the UK today: Prime users can press a button to order condoms, dishwasher tablets, cat food and more August 31, 2016 Amazon has today launched its Dash button service in the UK, meaning British shoppers can order essential household items such as loo roll, dishwasher tablets, condoms and cat food using a physical button placed in the home. Launched in the US last year, Dash buttons are dongle-sized devices that connect to your home wi-fi network [...]
Amazon gears up for launch of new music streaming service August 29, 2016 Amazon could be set to launch its music streaming service as soon as next month. Amazon is thought to be locked in talks with the world’s largest record labels since the news of its coming service was first reported earlier this month. The negotiations are now nearing their end, the Financial Times reports. Read more: Amazon's creating [...]
Anchor butter and Cravendale owner grows earnings despite difficult market conditions August 26, 2016 One of the dairy companies at the centre of Britain's milk crisis reported profit growth and reasserted its desire to increase the milk price paid to farmers. Danish-headquartered Arla announced revenues of €4.9bn (£4.0bn) for the first half of 2016. Although this was down from €5.1bn in 2015, gross margins were sustained at €1.2bn and earnings were [...]
City Moves for 26 August 2016 | Who’s switching jobs August 26, 2016 JLT Employee Benefits JLT Employee Benefits, a pension and benefit consultancy, has hired Tony Pike as head of sales for the investment consulting business. Tony joins with a remit to develop JLT’s investment and delegated consulting services to both new and existing JLT clients. Tony joins from Willis Towers Watson where he was head of UK sales [...]
Now Tesco’s doing same-day click and collect in battle with Amazon August 25, 2016 Tesco's adding a new feature to its online shopping and letting customers order and pick up their items on the same day as it takes on AmazonFresh in the battle for grocery delivery market share. The same-day click and collect service will be available at 300 of Tesco's largest stores across the country in the wake of [...]
The weather this weekend could have a surprising effect on beer sales August 24, 2016 With two of the summer's biggest events – the Notting Hill Carnival and the Reading Festival – due to take place this weekend, Britons will be keeping a close eye on the weather forecast as they make plans for the Bank Holiday. The Met Office has issued a heatwave alert – which prompted a health warning [...]
City Moves for 24 August 2016 | Who’s switching jobs August 24, 2016 Smith & Williamson Smith & Williamson, the investment management, accountancy and tax group, has appointed Grant Hotson as group financial director. Grant joins the main board of Smith & Williamson and will sit on the firm’s subsidiary boards relating to the tax and business services and the investment management and banking divisions. He takes over from [...]
Supermarket sales creep upwards as grocers benefit from the summer sun August 23, 2016 Grocery sales edged up this summer as sunny weather encouraged shoppers to spend. According to data from Kantar Worldpanel, supermarket sales increased by 0.3 per cent in the 12 weeks to 14 August – the fastest growth in the grocery market since March this year. There is no evidence yet to suggest the Brexit vote [...]
City Moves for 22 August 2016 | Who’s switching jobs August 22, 2016 Falcon Technologies International Optical Media storage specialist Falcon Technologies International has appointed Michael Gutowski as chief executive officer. Michael brings on board over 20 years of experience in the optical media industry, including having been CEO of Infodisc Technology in Europe and developing the firm into one of the leading players in the region. In addition to his executive [...]
Sorry supermarkets, grocery spending in Europe is growing at its slowest pace ever August 17, 2016 Consumer spending at supermarkets grew at its slowest pace in eight years – a historical low – as the price wars continue to take a toll, new figures reveal. The money making its way through supermarkets' tills grew by just 0.8 per cent across Europe in the second quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2015, [...]